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Astronomy Colloquium Series Presents

Astronomy Department New Post-Docs
Thursday, January 9, 2020
3:30-4:30 PM
411 West Hall Map
Dr. Arthur Adams

"Atmospheric Responses to Radiative Forcing: Physics and Observability of Close-in and Highly Eccentric Planets"

The thermal emission of exoplanets contains valuable information about the structures of their atmospheres. However, the current quality of observations allows for only a limited understanding of the physics at play. With this in mind we focus on infrared observables of close-in and eccentric planets, whose atmospheric responses may be characterized to leading order by the cycles of stellar forcing from their orbits and rotation. We approach modeling using a range of physical complexities. Firstly, we demonstrate in a re-assessment of Spitzer orbital phase curves that their shapes in many cases are well fit by a simple thermal model, in comparison with models of considerably more complexity. A few Hot Jupiters show phase offsets counter to the expectation of super-rotating winds on a tidally-locked planet; we detail the efficacy, feasibility, and observable consequences of high planet obliquity in reproducing these offsets. Finally, we explore the broad effects of high eccentricity and rotation rate on potentially observable phase variations from ocean-rich worlds, using the capabilities of a fully 3-dimensional climate model.

Dr. Arthur Bosman

"Uncovering the ingredients for planet formation"

It has long been suggested that the composition of planets, especially giant planets, is linked to their formation history. It is becoming more clear, however, that this is not a simple relation. To be able to link the composition of planets to their formation, it is necessary to get a good understanding of the chemical composition of the planet forming region, the inner few AU of protoplanetary disks. I will discuss some physical and chemical processes that can influence the composition of the gas in the disk as well as how observations, especially infrared spectroscopy, can be used to constrain these processes.

Dr. Merel van ‘t Hoff

"Chemistry in embedded disks: setting the stage for planet formation"

To address the fundamental questions of how life on Earth emerged and how common life may be in the Universe, it is crucial to know the chemical composition of the planet-forming material. Planets were originally thought to form in > 1 Myr old protoplanetary disks, but studies of both disks and our Solar System show that planet formation already starts much earlier, in disks that are still embedded in cloud material. These young disks, however, are largely uncharacterised. I will present a number of case studies on the physical and chemical structure of young disks, including the first temperature measurements showing that young disks are too warm for CO ice, unlike protoplanetary disks. In addition, I will highlight how we can probe the chemical complexity in planet-forming material.


Please note: Should you require any accommodations to ensure equal access and opportunity related to this event please contact Stacy Tiburzi at 734-764-3440 or stibu@umich.edu.

Tea will be served beforehand from 3:00-3:30pm in Serpens.
Building: West Hall
Event Type: Lecture / Discussion
Tags: astronomy, astrophysics, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, lecture, physics
Source: Happening @ Michigan from Department of Astronomy, Department of Physics, Michigan Institute for Research in Astrophysics

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